Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc is a public charity based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It supports Indiana congregations through grants, no-cost consulting, education programs, and the Congregational Resource Guide, helping them find and use resources to address challenges and opportunities.
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc at a glance
In short: Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc gave $7.6M across 336 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in Indiana. 68% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,574,805
- +105.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 336
- +48.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,544
- +38.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $62,584,839
- -8.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 68% first-time grantees (218 of 322, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
- How to Apply
-
Contact a Center for Congregations resource consultant to discuss the project and eligibility. Applications must include the required leadership endorsements and an explanation of matching funds for a Resource Grant.
- Contact
Mailing address: 303 North Alabama Street 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 237-7799
Website: https://centerforcongregations.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
Equity Grant
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
Amount
Up to $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Indianapolis Center For Congregations: Resource Grants
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Mental Health Initiative
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
Amount
Up to $40,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Way Church ($125K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $797K.
Grant Size Distribution
977 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 971 grants of 977 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Center serves congregations throughout Indiana. Its 2024 grant records show that 100% of grant dollars went to Indiana recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 336 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc open to new grantees?
68%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 218 of 322 grantees (68%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $7.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 336 grants totaling $7.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Crossroads Community Church Kokomo, IN | Congregations with Community | $100,000 |
| The Way Church Indianapolis, IN | Congregations with Community | $100,000 |
| La Iglesia Bautista de Oakhill Evansville, IN | Congregations with Community | $75,000 |
| South Bend City Church South Bend, IN | Congregations with Community | $75,000 |
| Israel Metropolitan CME Church Gary, IN | Congregations with Community | $74,625 |
| Flourish Church Gary, IN | Congregations with Community | $50,000 |
| Bachelor Creek Church of Christ Wabash, IN | Mental Health Special Grant 2024 | $40,000 |
| Bethany Christian Church Evansville, IN | Mental Health Special Grant 2024 | $40,000 |
| Beulah African Methodist Episcopal Church Washington, IN | Mental Health Special Grant 2024 | $40,000 |
| Canvas Community Church Fort Wayne, IN | Mental Health Special Grant 2024 | $40,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $62,584,839 | $8,532,484 | $14,494,511 | $7,574,805 | 336 | $3,057,276 |
| 2023 | $68,109,717 | $17,754,580 | $9,973,828 | $3,692,711 | 227 | $1,270,406 |
| 2022 | $58,729,431 | $35,713,465 | $8,671,687 | $2,403,621 | 177 | $815,443 |
| 2021 | $32,027,513 | $626,552 | $7,051,862 | $1,910,790 | 144 | $616,071 |
| 2020 | $37,740,404 | $8,893,786 | $18,057,768 | $1,195,959 | 93 | $884,081 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Center’s mission is to strengthen Indiana congregations by helping them find and use the best resources to address their challenges and opportunities. It also shares what it learns beyond Indiana.
Its Resource Grants help qualifying Indiana congregations fund related resources and activities for a specific project, such as software, architectural services, consulting, strategic planning, or educational workshops. The Center also offers Equity Grants for eligible congregations facing systemic injustice or inequity. Beyond grants, its services include no-cost resource consulting, educational programs, and the Congregational Resource Guide.
Recipients include a range of Indiana congregations. The Unitarian Universalist Church in West Lafayette, which received $40,000 in 2024, describes itself as a nurturing religious community that celebrates diverse beliefs and encourages spiritual growth through lifelong learning. First United Methodist Church in Noblesville, which received $39,600, says its mission is to support the church’s programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Center reported 336 grants totaling $7,574,805. Grant amounts ranged from $5,077 to $100,000, with a median of $25,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana.
The largest listed 2024 awards included $100,000 each to Crossroads Community Church in Kokomo and The Way Church in Indianapolis, both for “Congregations with Community.” La Iglesia Bautista de Oakhill in Evansville and South Bend City Church each received $75,000 for that purpose. Israel Metropolitan CME Church in Gary received $74,625 for the same purpose. Several congregations received $40,000 for the Mental Health Special Grant 2024, including Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, Bethany Christian Church, Beulah African Methodist Episcopal Church, Canvas Community Church, First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, and Fort Branch Wesleyan Church.
The Resource Grant is a matching grant of up to $25,000. Applicants must be Indiana congregations considered congregations under IRS rules, show that the project aligns with their mission and will strengthen their work, demonstrate support from a variety of congregational leaders, obtain endorsements from the senior clergy leader and governing-board or council chair, and explain how they will provide matching funds. A request must address a specific, focused topic; unrelated issues cannot be combined in one grant. The Center recommends contacting a resource consultant to assess whether a project is eligible.
The Equity Grant is for Indiana congregations with annual gross income under $100,000 that are either a congregation of color or rural. The program is described as a 90/10 matching grant, with 10% matching funds required. Center staff and resource consultants are available to guide applicants through the process and follow-up reporting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Center’s website identifies Elise Erikson Barrett as president and Kara Faris as executive program director. Karen Goley is listed as senior director of CRG and resources, and Kelly Minas as executive director for Center evaluation and funded programs.
The 2024 filing lists Charlitta Winston, Colleen Kenney, Elizabeth Clay, Javier Mondragon, Ted Waggoner, Annettra R. Jones, Lynn Martin, and Michael Jefferson II as board members. Javier Mondragon’s board service is listed as starting in December 2024. The filing also lists Rev. David Mellott, president of Christian Theological Seminary, and Rev. Dr. Andrew Pomerville, president of Louisville Theological Seminary.
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc is led by Kara Faris, Executive Director of Programs since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kara Faris
Executive Director of Programs
Director, Resource Grants & Consult → Executive Director of Programs, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$108K (2020) → $149K (2024)
Timothy Shapiro
President
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$192K (2022) → $196K (2024)
David Mellott
President & Christian Theological Seminary
President & Christian Theol Sem → President & Christian Theological Seminary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Pomerville
President & Louisville Theological Seminary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Hamm
Chair & Board of Directors
Board Member → Chair & Board of Directors, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Matthew Burke
Senior Director of Resource Consulting & Grants
Director, Educ. & Ne Officer → Senior Director of Resource Consulting & Grants, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$107K (2020) → $128K (2024)
Susan Weber
Senior Director of Evaluation & Communications
Director & Evaluation Coordinator → Director, Eval & Communications, 2021
Director, Eval & Communications → Senior Director of Evaluation & Communications, 2023
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$133K (2020) → $154K (2024)
Ashley Ivy
Senior Director of Finance
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$74K (2023) → $140K (2024)
McKenzie Scott Lewis
Senior Director of Congregations With Community
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $127K (2024)
Ryan Robinson
Senior Director of Talent & Culture
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$147K (2024)
Elizabeth Clay
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colleen Kenney
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annettra R. Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Jefferson II
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlitta Winston
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Martin
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Waggoner
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Javier Mondragon
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Elizabeth McKee (2020–2023) — CFO & Director Internal Operations · Filing note: Ended 1/2011
- Former: Christal Johnson (2023) — Executive Director of Marketing
- Former: Alton Pollard III (2020–2022) — President & Louisville President Theol Sem
- Former: Bill Kincaid (2020–2022) — Professor & Christian Theol Sem
- Former: Kathryn Patterson (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Shapiro (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Wendy McCormick (2020–2021) — Director & Satellite Synergy
- Former: Aaron Spiegel (2020) — Director & Information Technology
- Former: Lant Davis (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $196K, to Timothy Shapiro (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc
How much does Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc give each year?
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc gave $7.6M across 336 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.7M across 227 grants.
What is Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's typical grant size?
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $22,544, across 336 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc that year got $23K on average.
Where does Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc give grants?
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (80 grants), Gary, IN (34 grants), Fort Wayne, IN (24 grants) and South Bend, IN (13 grants).
Does Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 336 grants with a stated purpose on Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Mental Health Special Grant 2024" (30 grants), "Congregations with Community" (11 grants) and "Capital Campaign 1/2024" (3 grants).
Who are Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's largest grantees?
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Way Church ($125,000 across 2 grants), Crossroads Community Church ($100,000) and South Bend City Church ($100,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 4% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc?
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc reported $62.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.5M.
What does Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc fund?
The Center’s mission is to strengthen Indiana congregations by helping them find and use the best resources to address their challenges and opportunities. It also shares what it learns beyond Indiana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc?
Contact a Center for Congregations resource consultant to discuss the project and eligibility. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's EIN?
Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0001093. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/indianapolis-center-for-congregations-inc-morg_6ad9b0b81dd142c4ab336e3b57097537
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_300001093_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/indianapolis-center-for-congregations-inc-morg_6ad9b0b81dd142c4ab336e3b57097537},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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